Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Wednesday Deals and Meals 9/17/14 Columbia, MO


Behold, my weekly round-up of rock bottom deals and meals for the week! Click on the store name to view the full ads.

To download a copy of my favorite meal planning printable, click HERE.

Happy Deal Hunting!

Lucky's
Tomatoes 2lbs/$1
Peaches .98/lb
Celery 2/$1

Hyvee's Ad (Conley Rd)
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast 1.98/lb
Cantaloupe .99/ea
Gala Appes .99/lb
Blueberries (6 oz.) 2/$5
Pork Steaks 2.99/lb
Blackberries 1.48/6 oz.

Aldi
Grapes .79/lb
Cabbage .69/ea

Natural Grocers
Limes 3/$1
Cabbage .89/lb
Mini Sweet Peppers 2.69/carton
Almond Flour 6.99/lb
Caveman Kielbasa 3.99
Cascadian Farms Granola Bars 2.95
Annie's Cheddar Bunnies 2.69/ea
Tuna 2.85/ea
Seventh Generation Dish Liquid 2.79/ea
Thompson Raisins 2.25/lb
Canned Pink Salmon 2.99/ea

Meals

Breakfasts
Smoothies (Froz. fruit, banana, almond butter, coconut milk, coconut yogurt, fresh berries, spinach)
Eggs
Sausage
Veggie Stir-fry

Lunches
Leftovers
Almond Butter Celery Boats with Raisins, Fruit, and Sweet Potato Chips

Snacks
Apple Pie Granola
Raisins
Sweets and Beets Chips
Dark Chocolate
Fresh Fruit

Dinners
(I didn't use all of the meal ingredients from last week, so there are a few repeats)
Wed: Chorizo Stuffed Peppers and Cauliflower Mash
Thurs: Paleo Squash Boats, Steamed Broccoli, and Roasted Chicken Breasts
Fri: Tomato Artichoke Chicken Thighs, and Roasted Broccoli
Sat: Out of Town
Sun: Grilled Pork Steaks, Butternut Squash Fries, and Home-canned Green Beans
Mon: Chicken Avocado Lime Soup and Baked Sweet Potatoes
Tues: Paleo Turkey Stuffed Peppers and Home-canned Green Beans



Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Wednesday Deals and Meals: 9/10/14 Columbia, MO


Behold, my weekly round-up of local sales and our meals for the week! Click on the store name to view the full ad.

To download a copy of my favorite meal planning printable, click HERE.

Happy Deal Hunting!

Lucky's
Peaches .49/lb
Green Onions/Cilantro/Bell Peppers/Cucumbers/Carrots 3lb/$1
Pears .98/lb
Avocados .98/ea
Tomatoes on the Vine .98/lb
Fall Squash 1.48/lb
Fresh Chicken Breast 1.97/lb
SO Delicious Coconut Milk 2.99/ea
Self Grind Almond Butter 6.99/lb
Cocoa Dusted Almonds 5.99/lb

Hyvee's Ad (Conley Rd)
Jicama 1.48/lb
Lara Bars 10/$10
Hyvee Almond/Soy Milk 2/$5.00
Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters $7.90/10lbs
Angel Soft TP 4.99/12 double rolls

Aldi
Broccoli .89/lb
Grape Tomatoes .59/10oz
Cauliflower .79/ea
Deli Mustard .99/ea
Twisted Fruit Ropes 2.49/box
Fruit Squeezes 1.99/box

Natural Grocers
Limes 3/$1
Cabbage .89/lb
Mini Sweet Peppers 2.69/carton
Almond Flour 6.99/lb
Caveman Kielbasa 3.99
Cascadian Farms Granola Bars 2.95
Annie's Cheddar Bunnies 2.69/ea
Tuna 2.85/ea
Seventh Generation Dish Liquid 2.79/ea

Meals

Breakfasts
Smoothies (Froz. fruit, banana, almond butter, coconut milk, coconut yogurt, fresh berries, spinach)
Eggs
Sausage
Veggie Stir-fry
Almond Pancakes*

Lunches
Leftovers

Snacks
Apple Chips
Nuts
Fresh Fruit

Dinners
Chorizo Stuffed Peppers and Steamed Broccoli
Paleo Southwest Meatloaf
Chicken Eggplant Lasagna
Turkey Cabbage and Cauliflower Mash
Paleo Squash Boats (Spinach subbed for Basil, no pine nuts or cheese) and Pan-fried Chicken Breasts
Cilantro Chicken Breasts and Garlic Spinach

*Almond Pancakes 
excerpted from the Gluten Free Almond Flour Cookbook by Elana Amsterdam

2 eggs
1/4 C Agave (or honey)
1 Tbsp Vanilla extract
1/4 C Water
1.5 C Almond Flour
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 Tbsp Baking Powder
1 Tbsp Grapeseed Oil

In a blender, combine the eggs, agave nectar, vanilla, and water, process on high for about 1 minute, until smooth. Add the almond flour, salt, baking soda, and arrowroot powder, and blend until thoroughly combined.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Ladle 1 heaping tablespoon of the batter onto the skillet for each pancake. Cook until small bubbles form on the top of each pancake, when the bubbles begin to open, flip each pancake. When fully cooked, transfer the pancakes to a plate.

Repeat the process with the remaining batter, then serve.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Operation Bike MS: Part Seven (Final)

This post is part of a series documenting my journey toward the 2014 Gateway Getaway Bike MS. Read Part Six HERE.


Swollen, sunburned, bloated, sore, and stiff--these are the physical ramifications of riding 115 miles in one weekend.

Inspired, grateful, blessed, accomplished, and proud--these are the mental rewards of pushing myself so much further than my perceived limitations.

And I'm hooked.

The adrenaline rush of flying through cornfields with 3,000 of my closest biking buddies was well worth any temporary ailment I now suffer---and hearing battle stories of those who have MS and memories told of those who died fighting reminded me that every tiny penny we raised along the way will directly benefit millions.

So--I'm giving myself one year.

One year to raise double the donations and to train for double the distance.

That's right...$1,000 and 150 miles. And if 2014 is any indication of 2015---I'll probably get talked into riding 200 instead. Darn that big brother of mine.... :)

Thank you to everyone who donated, cheered, prayed, and encouraged. Your presence was with all of us as we trekked through the rolling hills of mid-Missouri--and we certainly couldn't have done it without you.

Click HERE to register for the 2015 Bike MS Gateway Getaway!

See you next year in Godfrey, Illinois!


Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Operation Bike MS: Part Six

This post is part of a series documenting my journey toward the Gateway Getaway Bike MS. Read Part Five HERE. To learn more about Multiple Sclerosis and to support me as I reach my goal of $500, please click HERE.




Taper week is finally here--and with it shorter rides, glorious rest, and butterflies of anticipation. 

How will I respond to a sea of cyclists on the open road? 

Will my body actually be able to do this? 

Will my gears de-rail properly when climbing a death-trap hill? 

How many expletives will I hurl into the open air if they don't?

Regardless of how I hold up this weekend, it's good to know that my team--and all of the other riders and supporters of Bike MS--are making a huge difference. Not only does our participation raise awareness and financial support for this debilitating disease, but it also serves as a reminder that I am  a tiny component of a much bigger story. What little pain I experience along the way will be such a temporary blip in comparison to the struggle millions of people around the world face each day. 

So, as I ride, I will be meditating on these verses as I pray for myself and others who face all kinds of trials:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

And then, I'm sure I'll hurl a few more expletives. 

Better out than in, right?? 


And Now for the Training Update

I know you've been holding your breath waiting to read all about it. Really...it's okay to breathe now.

Coach Erin finally let me swim---yay!

She also told me to focus mainly on kicking--boo!

So last Tuesday morning--in the wee dark hours--I was a good little trainee and kicked (and kicked and kicked) until I couldn't kick anymore. When I was finished kicking and my legs were jelly, the sun finally decided to emerge.


Coach's next order was to do flat bike rides. 

Flat rides. 

In Columbia. 

Ha!

After I stopped laughing hysterically, I decided on the Katy trail and Stephen's Lake Park. However, just to GET to the Katy trail, I have to climb what I like to call "hospital hill" on Broadway. Those who live here will understand that one. 

And no, my gears did not de-rail properly and yes. I almost started to roll backward in the middle of the hill. 

But then I nailed the rest of it. 

Take that, hospital hill!

This was a pretty scene from Stephen's--a much tamer ride. 


My rides this week are to be super short--no more than 8 miles each--so on Tuesday I decided to take a new paved trail connecting my complex to a highway east of town, and happened upon these here flood waters. Luckily the water had receded from the trail--but the roaring rush was spectacular. 



I'm heading out tomorrow for my last ride before the Bike MS, and I'm more than a little sad. I've enjoyed training for this event (and previous events) so much that I will need to look for another amazing feat to conquer and a cause to support. 

Nothing beats pushing yourself to limits you never dreamed you'd have the strength to withstand---and I'm convinced I need a little bit of that in my life at all times. It keeps me humble, honest, and absolutely grateful. 

See you at the finish line!


Wednesday Deals and Meals


Here's my weekly round-up of local sales (click the store name for the full flier) and what our meals will be for the week.

Happy Deal Hunting!

Lucky's
Cauliflower $1.48/head
Yellow/Purple Tomatoes 2lbs/$1.00
Blackberries .77/6oz. (limit 6)

Hyvee's Ad (Conley Rd)
Gala Apples .88/lb
Split Chk. Breast .98/lb
Raspberries $1.48/6oz
Applesauce $1.58/24oz
Sugar .99/4lb\
Pears .99/lb

Aldi
Red Grapes .79/lb
Fresh Chicken Thighs .89/lb
Multi-Colored Peppers .99/3-pack
Ground Beef $3.49/lb

Natural Grocers
Organic Yams $1.99/lb
Thompson Raisins $2.25/lb
Cascadian Farms Granola Bars $2.95/box

Meals

Breakfasts
Smoothies
Eggs
Sausage
Veggie Stir-fry

Lunches
Leftovers
Sunbutter/Celery/Raisins
PBJ (for the little one)
Sweet Potato Chips
Fruit

Dinners
Lemon Roasted Chicken and Freezer Veggies (garden stockpile)
Grilled Burgers, Zuchinni, Roasted Cauliflower
Grilled Chicken Thighs (Honey Mustard Ginger Marinade), Brussels Sprout Chips, Roasted Sw. Potatoes
Grilled Salmon, Kale Chips, Grapes
Paleo Stuffed Sweet Potato Sloppy Joe's, Cauliflower Mash